Summer is not over yet! Don’t let retail stores fool you with their year-end holiday deals. We know better than to fall for their consumerism plots because we have more important things to do than getting schemed with “bigger and scarier” Halloween decorations… Like choosing the perfect rosé wine for tonight’s barbecue! On that note, let’s ponder our favorite grade of pink, shall we?!
There’s something so lovely and delightful about a glass of rosé on a quiet evening whilst vacationing in the Provence region of France. So what if you’re not there… Those wines have a way of transporting people to that magical place in an instant, without the headaches of airport security checks and at a far better price than airfare. Say no to crying babies in planes, and say yes to the alluring chant of cicadas… Cue the cicadas!
Rosé Wines
Rosé means pink in French. In order to achieve this elegant salmon-pink hue, the grapes are held in the press for a short amount of time until the juice has just the right amount of pigment. Most rosés consist of blends, and each varietal offers its own unique color to the overall blend. So in addition to blending grapes for the best aromatic intensity and flavor profile, winemakers must also pay attention to the color of the wine. All these shades of pink don’t just happen… They are carefully crafted to appeal to the masses.
So in celebration of this fine (and way underrated) beverage, we thought we’d share our most treasured rosé wines. Steve and I personally tasted and approved those wines. It was a lot of extraneous work, but we did it… For you ;) While most of these wines will cost you anywhere between $10 and $20 at your local wine store, others may fall more into the special occasion category… But what is Summer if not one BIG special occasion?
8 Shades Of Pink
Rosé wines can be sweet or dry but tend to lean on the dry side overall. Rosés produced in the Old World (France) are typically bone dry with some minerality in the finish. Rosés produced in the New World (United States) are often a little sweeter and have a more pronounced fruit flavor. Steve and I may not be wine experts officially, but we know what we like. So we put together a list of rosés from various origins. Here is mine…
Miraval Rosé
This may sound a little cliché but I do like Miraval Rosé… And no, it has nothing to do with the fact that Brad and Angelina own it. Well, used to own it. Since their divorce, the estate is now owned by Brad Pitt, and still managed by the Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This impressive rosé is made with Grenache grapes and is 100% organic. I find it elegant with just the right balance of fruit and texture. Citrus and raspberries shine through this mildly dry wine and the aftertaste is crisp and fresh. And I’m not the only one who likes it… Wine Enthusiast gave Miraval’s latest vintage 92 points, and 89 points from Wine Spectator (Steve’s favorite wine source). This celebrity superstar rosé currently sells for about $25 a bottle.
Château Miraval Estate / Correns in Provence, France
Fun fact: Miraval is also a recording and production studio. Recently remodeled, this facility is state-of-the-art, and arguably one of the most beautiful studios I’ve ever seen. I would simply assume this is all Brad Pitt’s influence… And Brad Pitt’s money ;)
AIX Rosé
The winery is located near Aix-en-Provence in the South of France, hence its name. AIX Rosé is a blend of three Rhône varietals (which you’ll find in Châteauneuf Du Pape): Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. This rosé might be the purest possible expression of what a French rosé wine can be. AIX is a well-balanced rosé, fresh and fragrant to the nose, and expresses fresh red fruits, peach, and subtle flower hints on the palate, before finding freshness and some minerality in the finish.
As I said earlier, Rosé wine is a tradition and a celebration of life in France. It is meant to be shared. So in addition the the regular 75 cl bottle, the winery also makes a 15-liter bottle, the Nebuchadnezzar! I hope you brought friends ;)
Aix Estate & Winery / Aix-en-Provence, France
Sofia Rosé
Like father, like… daughter? Sofia Coppola might be following her dad’s footsteps in the movie industry, but her involvement with the wine industry simply remains a tribute. Sofia rosé is light in character and pairs well with food.
Not unlike most rosés, Sofia rosé is a blend. It mixes Grenache and Pinot Noir in equal quantities, which gives it a crisp natural acidity with fruit flavors, along with aromatic notes of strawberry, blood orange, and acacia. According to the winery, it is oak-aged for 1 month, probably to help offset the natural acidity of the Pinot Noir.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery / Geyserville, California
If you’d like to read more about the ins and outs of aging wine in oak barrels, make sure to read STEVE’S STORY ABOUT OUR BARREL WINE TASTING with winemaker tyler thomas at Dierberg and Star Lane Winery.
Louis M. Martini Rosé
So I know what you’re thinking, Cabernet Sauvignon is supposed to be red! First of all, there’s a winemaking technique called “saignéed” which is French for “bleed”. The saignée method involves “bleeding off” a portion of red wine juice during the fermentation process and using it to make other wines, in this case, rosé. Secondly, most of the fruit is pressed immediately upon arrival at the winery. This is called Direct Press – This process drains the pressed juice off of the skin pretty much immediately, resulting in a very light pink hue and brighter flavors. Combining these two techniques creates a brilliant rose-gold hue and fruit-forward palate. Voilà!
My good friends Rick & Carole introduced me to this wine during one of our fence wine episodes. There are a few wines that made me say “wow” out loud, and this one did it. This wine is actually a blend of Bordeaux and Rhône varietals, with a 75% Cabernet Sauvignon predominance. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures, preserving the fruit’s brightness and crisp character. Oh, and being a Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine can be aged for 5 to 10 years. So who’s thirsty?!
Louis M. Martini Winery / St. Helena, California
Manon Côtes De Provence
And last on my list but certainly not least, Manon Côtes De Provence. Manon is a tribute to a famous and popular first name in the south of France. According to the owner, “This wine is after the image of the name, free-spirited yet true to its terroir of origin: Provence.”
In addition to a mouth-watering wine, the Ravoire Family, owner of the winery, took it one step further when they hired a master Italian glass designer for the bottle. The unique design has been carefully drawn to represent the original slender feminine silhouette. They sure get extra points for that!
Manon, Cuvée d’Exception / Salon-de-Provence, France
And Now, Here Are Steve’s Favorite Rosé Wines…
“In my earlier days of getting “serious” with wine and learning more about the different varietals, I didn’t have any interest in Rosé. But as my palate changed and I became more adventurous with trying new wines, I tried a number of rosés. Some of my friends loved Rosés and recommended several to me. Eventually, I found a few that resonated with me and now I drink them regularly during the hot summer months.”
Vallon d’Escale Rosé
Three brothers manage this human-sized family business, elaborating their wines with true love and passion. They are experts in all winemaking procedures, from planting the vines to selling the wine, and assert their Provençal identity and region’s know-how into a wine that is definitely worth trying.
And if you’re a fan of organic wines, The Tobias brothers maintain constant respect for the land and biodiversity and always obey the principles of organic farming and production methods.
Vallée d’Escale blends 4 varietals, such as Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle, also known as Vermentino, a light-skinned wine grape variety, primarily found in Italian wine, with a growing popularity in Languedoc-Roussillon, France.
Domaine La Cadenière / Lançon-Provence, France
Oeil De Perdrix Rosé
The name “oeil de perdrix” means “partridge’s eye” in French, a reference to the pale pink color of the eye of a partridge. Oeil De Perdrix is a delicious rosé where fruit aromas are joined by refreshing hints of citrus. The delicate presence of white plum, peach, honeydew, and ripe nectarine balances out the natural acidity of the wine. The brightness of this Rosé has a mouthwatering character with a long-lasting, satisfying finish.
Belle Glos / Rutherford, California
Fun fact: Oeil De Perdrix used to be a White Zinfandel wine from Sutter Home. But U.S. laws require an English-language description, so winemaker Bob Trinchero added “white zinfandel wine” in small print. Either the law is no longer enforced, or winemakers choose to ignore it.
Prestige Sparkling Rosé
Charles Laffite is well-known for its lively and cheerful champagne. Rosé Prestige is a deep salmon-colored wine with fleeting coppery highlights that combines the aromas of delicate and engaging floral fragrances with the subtle hints of freshly picked red fruits. This is a truly fun sparkling wine from France with barely any perceptible sweetness and a long and persistent finish.
This wine blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, three native varieties of the Burgundy region that are most commonly used in the production of Champagne.
Maison Charles Lafitte / Reims, France
How About Some Rosé Wine Pairing?!
Rosé for summer – A refreshing way to enjoy the outdoors, and a nice homemade meal. Rosé remains faithful to the flavors of the South of France, both Provençal and Mediterranean. It’ll pair nicely with any type of dish, from appetizers to more refined and gastronomic dishes. Here are a few recommendations… Bon appétit!
- Ceviche
- Lamb
- Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Pork Ribs
- Fish Or Chicken Tacos
- Sushi & Spring Rolls
- Ratatouille
- Tabbouleh (also tabouli)
- Mixed Salads
- Fruit & Cheese Boards
- And for dessert… Tiramisu! You’re welcome ;)
Nice trot down rosé wine lane. They all look delicious to me and I pair them with anything that I am eating or with nothing at all. A bottle of rosé at about 12% alcohol is a treat.
Yes, I tend to favor wines with a lower alcohol content. Alcohol is not what it’s about… But I do like it, with moderation ;)